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you really need to take these "experts" opinions with a grain of salt, here's what Mel Kiper had to say about our 2008 and 2009 draft classes:

2008 Pittsburgh Steelers: GRADE: B

Running back wasn't a need area in the first round, but when Rashard Mendenhall was still on the board at No. 23, he became a luxury pick. Mendenhall was a very good pick, so too was Limas Sweed, who fell to the 53rd overall pick.

Dennis Dixon was a one-year wonder at Oregon before he suffered a season-ending knee injury. He showed skills in 2007; still, Dixon is a good fifth-round pick as someone you can develop.

Bruce Davis fits the Steelers' scheme as an OLB (he had 24.5 sacks the past two seasons).

Tony Hills is a solid backup at OT who has the ability to push for a starting role if he can work on his aggressiveness.

Mike Humpal could be a good backup LB and help out on special teams; and safety Ryan Mundy will be a decent special teams player.

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2009 Pittsburgh Steelers: GRADE: B

First-round selection Evander Hood was a good pick because he should fit in well as a defensive tackle in the Steelers' system. I love third-round wide receiver Mike Wallace's speed.

Cornerback Joe Burnett and running back Frank Summers were good selections in the fifth round.

Defensive tackle Ra'Shon Harris could be a steal out of the sixth round.

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Join Date

Sep 2008

Posts

5,177

Originally Posted by JUST-PLAIN-NASTY

Bell seems to be very coachable & a willing learner. If he listens to the coaches and plays to his strengths, he may be a solid back for years to come. He has the skills to be productive. If he forgets he isn't in the Big Ten and doesn't keep his shoulders square to the LOS, he could disappoint. "Be the player your are...Not the player you think you are." Mendy's underachieving was because he thought his athletic abilities could seperate him from the NFL speed instead of his RB skills. If Bell realizes that his balance, agility, vision, patience, size, & football smarts are what will make him great...He will be.

The tough part is there really is no good RB mentor on the roster for Bell right now. Would've been great to add Bradshaw for that role.

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Cornerback Joe Burnett and running back Frank Summers were good selections in the fifth round.
.

I could have gone another couple of years before I wanted to hear the name Frank Summers, lol.

The "expert" grades are funny, they have their favorite players too just like us posters. I heard some of the analysts on "Path to the Draft" commenting on the Steelers before the draft and some of the points they were making were way off the target. Wish I could remember an example. Some of these experts just scratch the surface imo. Nothing in real depth can be determined until they see the field as we all know.

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Join Date

May 2008

Location

Cincitucky (Stinktown, U.S.A.)

Posts

4,166

Originally Posted by JUST-PLAIN-NASTY

You could call this a boom or bust draft. If Jones & Bell turn out to be who they think they are...This draft will be A+ "Boom". If Jones isn't a perennial ProBowler by his 2nd or 3rd year and Bell isn't a feature back that turns in consecutive 1,000 yard seasons...I would give it an F "Bust". This is the draft that will end all my prejudices or soilidify them even more. As a Steeler fan, I hope I will have to reprogram my thought process from this draft forward.

A bust if Jones isn't a pro bowler by year 2 or 3? I don't know about that. There are many other players here and Jones could be very good and still not make a Pro Bowl. Seems a little extreme.

Even if Bill Belichick was getting an atomic wedgie, his face would look exactly the same.

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you really need to take these "experts" opinions with a grain of salt, here's what Mel Kiper had to say about our 2008 and 2009 draft classes:

2008 Pittsburgh Steelers: GRADE: B

Running back wasn't a need area in the first round, but when Rashard Mendenhall was still on the board at No. 23, he became a luxury pick. Mendenhall was a very good pick, so too was Limas Sweed, who fell to the 53rd overall pick.

Dennis Dixon was a one-year wonder at Oregon before he suffered a season-ending knee injury. He showed skills in 2007; still, Dixon is a good fifth-round pick as someone you can develop.

Bruce Davis fits the Steelers' scheme as an OLB (he had 24.5 sacks the past two seasons).

Tony Hills is a solid backup at OT who has the ability to push for a starting role if he can work on his aggressiveness.

Mike Humpal could be a good backup LB and help out on special teams; and safety Ryan Mundy will be a decent special teams player.

----------------

2009 Pittsburgh Steelers: GRADE: B

First-round selection Evander Hood was a good pick because he should fit in well as a defensive tackle in the Steelers' system. I love third-round wide receiver Mike Wallace's speed.

Cornerback Joe Burnett and running back Frank Summers were good selections in the fifth round.

Defensive tackle Ra'Shon Harris could be a steal out of the sixth round.

lol........and im sure there were plenty of 'fans' that said, 'kiper doesnt know anything. our draft was an A+++'

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If you said you potentially got the following, could you seriously give it anything less?

1. Greg Lloyd II

2. Eddie George II

3. Mike Wallace / Manny Sanders hybrid

4. Bob Sanders II

etc.

It all comes down to how hard will these kids work. But it looks like we loaded up on key players for the future. And we got a lot more value in the rest of our picks. I really believe our 1st and 4th picks will have the impact of Harrison and Troy on this defense in time.

Or

1. Huey Richardson II

2. Greg Hawthorne II

3. Troy Edwards/Troy Edwards hybrid

4. The idiot safety that mouthed off to Brady before the playoff game II